Reenforced concrete structure forming permanent foundation for roadways



Zfiarch .1. w. WELC H REENFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE FORMING PERMANENT FOUNDATION FOR ROADWAYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Ma J. W. WELCH STRUCTURE FORMING PERMANENT FOUNDATION FOR ROADWAYS CRETE Filed May 25, 1922 4 sheets-sheet 2 J1 1V: ll elci NNN . w w e March 31, 1925.

J. w. WELCH REENFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE; FORMING PERMANENT FOUNDATION FOR ROADWAYS Filed May 25 1922 '4 Sheets-sneer. 3

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March 31., W,

HEENFORCED coucnma STRUCTURE FORMING PERMANENT F'F UNIRFu/LON FORROADWAYS Sheets-Sham:

Filed May 25 i922 n um You cf: IV, /1 6/ 0/! bury and tion is the with the road crate slab forming make it manent only being constructed in such a manner, face of each track will always Patented Mar. 31, 1925.

amour: w. warm, or snnomnr Bau nnnnroncnn concerns srnoorunn BOADW Application no. m

To all whom it may concern.

Be it. known that I, Jnnomn W. Wnnon, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Sergeant 'Blufi, in the county of cod- State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reenforced Concrete Structures Foundations for Roadways, of which the following is a specification.

My.invention relates to concrete structures with metal reinforcerhents of speclfic shapes providing substantially permanent foundations for rural and urban roadways.

The main ob ect of the present invenprovision of a concrete that has such firin bed that sliding or displacement of the roadway is practically ch mfoundation 'na d.

A further obiect of 'my, invention is to provide a plum ity of choline in the conseparate tracks, which are so firmly hound together by reinforcing rods, imhcdd in the concrete, so as pram nels to he ood or so crate by ordinary ext s such formation possible aplosive agencies or dynamic forces of n A still turther chic to furnish these permanent corresponding number to that of the tracks that are intended-to run side by side on the 'channels in a roadway and to construct the roadway with,

for instance, 'two outer tracks for light automobile trafiic; in each direction and a centraitrack for hea'v loads. In this manher the different trac willbe constructed in. a mannermost suitable to the traiiic for which the'yare intended. 1 I

Still another object'ofq my invention is to furnish a. permanent and; durable guide rail or ramp along eaclut'deof .a single track roadway and in addition interior ramps between the several channels of a multiple track roadway. constructed in such a manner that they prevent serious and dangerous skidding of passing vehicles while at the same time they will not seriously hinder the vehicles from passing from one roadway to another.

A further object of my invention is to produce that the surbe level in Forming Per-4" hardened and to impossible for the chanmy invention is- These ramps are enses. PATENT QEFFICE.

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AYS.

25,1922. Serial 1%. 593,541.

its own width but not necessarily as a level with any other of the parallel tracks in the same roadwayn' Accordingly each. vehicle will travel on its own track on a-levelaalai A still further object of my invention is co to construct the .undersurface oi a concrete slab m'such a'manner that, when it is once set, it will firmly grip the sand or gravel bed on which it rests, thereby preventing theslab from moving 0 from as the sub-structure of the roadwa and that only very unusual; forces will he able to move or destro the roadway. For this purpose the un er side of the slab is prop vided with a wavy surface or undulations To engage with the correspondingly formed gravel bed upon which it rests. Consequently some portions of the concrete slab are sunk deeper than others into the bed and particularly those under each ramp. is I A. further object of the invention is to provide an. outlet for'water accumulating on the tracks, particularly in low places where rain is apt to collect.

A further object of the. invention is to so provide rounded tops for the external ramps guide rails changing into inwardly sloping' surfaces, which join them to the pen ndicular side walls of the external ramps; while the internal ramps or guide rails have 35 parabolic and circular tops oining the per pendicular side walls of the ramps. 1e object of furnishing the parabolic shaped tops is to give a properly inflated wheel tire a greater tractional grip'onlthe ascending on surface of the guide rails, than it would have if the ascending surface was at an angle of about merging into a pcrpen-, dicular surface. 7

Lastly, the object of the invention is to construct and position the reinforcing iron rods sothat M settling and cracking of a foundation slab will be practically prevented near the outside of the slab and the external ramps in this manner preventing l the war ing of these arts. The parts of the tree exposed to t e heaviest wear and strain are reenforced by closely positioned longitudinalrods, wliile the middle of each track only is rovided with two of these v reinforcing s; the ramps also having reinforcing rods near their tops, all of these rods being cross connected by means oi: transverse reinforcing rods anchored to the rods in the ramps.

which are attached hereto line 2-2 of Figure concrete has been poured over it;

35 axis of each channel tion of the roadway :13 side 16 to With these and other objects in view my invention will be more fully describedand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the clalrns, and form a part of the specification.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 representsa fragmentary top plan view of a roadway forming the sub ject-inatter of the present invention and provided with three separate channels for tracks;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section along the Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the roadway showing the reinforcing skeleton before the Fig. 4 is a partial transverse section similar to Fig. 2 showing the anchorage for the short transverse rods;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation and partial longitudinal section of the roadway, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofthe details of the reinforcing rods and their anchorage.

My reenforced roadway consists of a concrete body or slab 10, see Figs. 2 and 4,

where a series of three channels or tracks The under side of the slab are provided.

surface in transverse direc- 1.0 has a wavy tion for the purpose o gripping the road bed; firmly and to prevent any sliding or displacement of the slab. This wavy sur face comprises regularly repeated grooves 11 which preferably are situated along the or track, as seen in Figure 2. The channels are formed by external ramps 12 running along the outer cdgcsof the slab 10 and internal guide rails or ramps 13. The two outer channels 14 in this figure are placed at a lower level than the central channel 15 and the outer ones are in this case intended for-lighter tratlic, such as automobile and light vehicles, while the central channel 15 is intended for 4.- hcavily loaded wagons and trucks It will be noted that the minimum thickness occurring along the axis of the central channel 15 is considerably greater than that of the side channels 14 and that the deeper sccoccurs under each of the ramps or guide rails 12 and The internal ramps 13 have their sides 16 and 17 rising perpendicularly from the level of the respective tracks and from the the crest of the ramp 13 the ramp is rounded a 'quarter of a circle, while the side '17 merges into the circular curve 18 by means of a parabolic curve 19. About three inches below the top of each ramp 13 is iinbeddeda longitudinal wards-tangentially from the semi-circular top 24.

A reinforcing rod 26 running longitudinally in the ramp is also provided in this case and positioned about the same distance down as already described with re gard to the reinforcing rod 20. I

The ramps are spaced apart approximately six feet, so that, for instance, if a single track is provided the total Width would be about seven and a half feet; While for a two track roadway the outer ramps would be approximately fourteen and one-half feet, and for a three track road about twenty-one feet. The suitable height of the ramp is fifteen inches, in which case the sloping side 23, which is preferably at a angle, would be about three inches and the greatest thickness of each ramp is preferably about nine inches. The width of the tracks may, of course, vary, but ought not to be less than six feet.

The surface of channel 15 is about two inches higher than that of the side channels 14. In this manner the central channel becomes not only stronger but its higher level facilitates the draining from the central channel to the side channels.

The reinforcement of the concrete slab comprises the following parts and isdone in the following manner; transversely replane above the reinforcing the distance across in forcing rods 27 are placed near the bottom run the entire-width of the roadway whether the latter COII'IPI'lSOS one or more channels.

.The rods 27 have their ends bent upwardly to formclbows 28 and continue upwardly,

as at 35, and around the reinforcing rods ,7 26 in the exterior ramps 12 from where the 'rods are bent downwardly. as at- 29, running nearly parallel with the upward run ning parts 30 "terminating with a hook 81, which is adapted to engage beneath the longitudinal rod 32. These transverse reinforcing rods 27 are spaced approximately eight feet apart and between them are preferably positioned shorter transverse rods 33, which extend under only one. of the tracks, so that for a three track roadway therewill be three of these reinforcing rods 33 acrossthe entire roadway. These shorter rods 33 are also provided with elbows 28 and loops 35 ternuna ing with hooks 31 adapted versely level channel, the crest lines of said contour rumnng parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, and a ramp formed a ong each edge of said slab.

2. In a concrete road foundation construction, a cementitious body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, providing a transversely level channel, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, and a ramp formed along each edge of said slab, the inner face of each ramp rising perpendicularly from said slab to a substantially medial line and slanting outwardly from said line. I

3. Ina concrete road foundation construction, a cementitious body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, composed of alter nating level and inclined plain surfaces, the

crest lines of. said contour running parallel \Vllll the longitudinal axis of the slab, a

ramp formed along each edge of said slab,

longitudinal reinforcing rods in said slab and said ramps, and transverse reinforcing rods havinganchoring connection with the reinforcing rods of said ramps.

4. In a concrete road foundation construction, a cementitious body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and navy bottom contour, composed of alternating level and inclined plain surfaces, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, a plurality of longitudinally running ramps on said slab forming a channel between them.

In a concrete road foundation construction, a cementitious body of slab for mat-ion having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour,- the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis'ofthe slab, longitudinally running ramps on said slab forming channels between them, the surl'acc level ol one channel dillcring froin that of the next channel. 5

G. In a concrete road fonndation con struction, a cementitious body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis ofthe slab, a plurality of longitudinally running ramps on said slab forming channels between them, the surface level of one channel differing from that of the next channel 7. In a concrete road foui'idation construction, a ceinentiti-ous body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, a plurality 0f longitudinally running ramps on said slab forming channels. between them, the surface level of one channel differing from that of the next channel, the thick-' slab being greatest under said 8. In a concrete road foundation con-- sti'uction, a cementitious body of slab for-- mation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, a plurality of longitudinally running rampson said slab forming chaniiels between them, the surface level of one channel differing from that ofthe next channel, the thickness of said slab being greatest. under said ramps and smallest along the axis of the channels, the sides of said ramps rising perpendicularly from the surface level of the channels up to a substantiallymedial line of the height of the ramps.

9. In a concrete road foundation construe tion, a cementitious body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, the crest lines of said contour. running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, a plurality of longitudinally running ramps on said slab forming channels between them, the surface level of one channel differing from that of the next channel, the thickness of said slab being greatest under said ramps and smallest along the axis of the channels, the sides of said ramps rising perpendicularly from the surface level of the channels up to a substantially medial line of the height of the ramps, the crest on each inner ramp being formed by merging circular and parabolic curves between its medial side lines.

10. In a concrete road foundation construction, a cenientitious body of slab for-' mation having transversely varying thickncss and wavy bottom contour, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, a plurality of longitudinally running ramps on said slab forming channels between them, the surface level of'one channel differing from that of the next channel, the thickness ofsaid slab being greatest under said ramps and smallest along the axis of the channels, the sides of said ramps rising perpendicularly from the surface level of the chan' nels up to a substantially medial line of the height of the ramps, the crest on each external ramp being rounded and a 45 slope joining the crest with said medial line.

11. In a concrete road foundation construction, a cementitious body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, a ramp formed along each edge ofsaid slab, longimode: the nearestlongitudinal toil Ii Will be evident that g of all the transverse reinforcing hen be about our feet and that and short rods alternate, as best rods 38 are piaccd apart and near "of tubular drains the of the channels, best seen in Figs. 2 3 and I 4 lmbcddod in tan interior ramps 13 are stirrnps 39, which are bent in V-shapeand snsponded iron the reinforcing rods near tho top oi the ramps each end of the stirrnps 'nating with hooks 4Q- ll which engago code the nearest -longitudinal reinforcing rods 32 imbedded in the slab 10. As already described the thickness at point 11 of the slab "under the transverse reinforcing rods 2? and 32? is approximately one inch, The material .used for both the longitudinal and transverse reinforcing rods is preferably one inchsquarc and above the longitudinal rods isa layer of about two inches thickness of concrete forming a slab, approximately five inchosi'rom the thinnest place in thc side channels 14 and about two inches more or seven inches minimum thickness in the central channel 15. The", proportions may naturally vary accordingly to the requirements for diileront roadways.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 5, the roadway is provided with culverts l2 communicating with the roadway by means 43, of the roadway forming the subject-matter of tho present invention is"'pretcrably made in tho following manner; The road bed 34, made of sand or gravel, is first prepared as best seen in ll 2 and 4, that is to say, with longitudinally running ridges 14, between which flat depressions are formed at regular intervals. In this manner the cross section of the road bed will show a formation. When a snficient hardness of the road bed has been obtained s layer of concrete is spread over the some the thickness of which should. not be less tiln one inch the ridges 44 on the road 's layer of concrete has dried sni nc'ie transverse reinforcing rods 27 i i i, across thc roadway alternatingo lon short scribcc bove and at 6 feet. Upon the tronsvci are now. placed the longs in sods 32, 8! and gmnpcd so described so fr nst The constrncti on goblins near the sides ofthe channcls to be or more spaced fnrthcr apart near tho'benter of each channel. The outermost longitudinal rods 32 are; then made to engage with the hooks 31 of the ends of the longer rods 27, as Well with the outer ends of the shoi'tcr rods 33 and tho, stirrnp's 39 made to engage in a similar mannor with the longitudinal rods 32 in pron imity to Where the interior ramps are going to be placed. in the upperloops oi the transverse rods and the stirrups the longitudinal rods 20 and 26 are now inserted and formed and t yo held temporarily whereupon the concrete 1s manner already described, provision beingmade for the positioning of the drains 4i?) at certain intervals on the channels for communication with the culverts, which must naturally be constructed before the concrete is laid.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the foundation slab, in which the several channels have boon formed, will have a very firm hold on the sand or growl road bed and that for this reason side displacement ot the channels becomes practically impossible except from violent vibrations caused, for instancc, by earthquakes or gas explosions beneath the surface.

It willalso be evident that cracking of the roadway is practically eliminated in the length or the transverse direction and that accordingly no settlement of a slab or any portion thereof can occun Furthermore, skidding of the vehicle Wheels from the outer edges of the slab will be prevented. by the peculiar formation of the ramps with their circular and parabolic tops, as well as the inclined inner side Walls of tho outer ramps, and that in this manner sliidilin; from the ontcr tracks to the inner ones will be eliminated and similarly no scidding can take place iromtho center track to any obviates any overturning of vehicles whilemoving at a rapid rate o'f spocd along a road- Way oi? this construction Although I have illustrated and described my invention giving complete details of con struction, it will, 01": course, be understood that I do not limit myself to such details, ,but reserve the right to malts changes within the scope of the appended claims without departing from this spirit of my invention Having illllE'LlQSCifll'JQi the invcntion, What is new is:

l, in a concrct/c road foundation const rnction, :1 cenientitionsbody of form bailing transversely varying: thickness and wavy bottom contour providing; a

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tudinal reinforcing rods in said slab and said ramps, and transversereinforcin rods having anchoring connection 'With t e reinforcing rods of said ramps, said trans verse reinforcing rods being placed substantially one inch above the highest points of said bottom contour'and said longitudinal reinforcing rods in said slab resting upon said transverse reinforcing rods.

12. In a concrete road foundation construction, a cementitious body of slab formation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour, the crest lines of said contour running parallel with the longitudinal .axis of the slab, a plurality of longitudinally running ramps formed on said s ab, longitudinal reinforcingrods in said slab and said ramps, andtransverse reiniorcing rods having anchoring connection with the reinforcing rods of said ramps,

said transverse reinforcing. rods being placed substantially one inch above the highest points of 'sai d bottom contour and said longitudinal reinforcing rods in said,

slab 'restmg upon .saidtransverse reinforcingrods, said'reinforcing rods varying in length to provide staggered .joints.

13. Ina concrete road foundation construction, a cementi tious body of slab for mation having transversely varying thickness and wavy bottom contour'composed of 1 alternating level and inclined. lain surfaces and providing a transversely evel channel,

the crest lines of said contour running.

parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slab, a ramp formed along each edge of said 1 slab, longitudinal reinforcing rods in said JEROME W. 

